Bountiful Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

Not only limited to skin and hair, coconut oil has unlimited health benefits for your whole body and a widely used ingredient in Ayurveda. It improves digestion and immunity and keeps you away from a bunch of diseases and infections. Coconut oil is abundantly found in tropical countries like India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Thailand etc. however other continents also get a wide supply of this oil. You will be surprised to know that more than 90% of coconut oil is made of saturated fats, but despite of this the oil is extremely healthy and recommended for human use and consumption as most of it are medium chain triglycerides, which settles perfectly in the body’s systems.

Other contents of coconut oil are Lauric acid, Poly-phenols, Capric acid, Caprylic acid, caproic acid and myristic acid. The oil is rich in Vitamin E, Vitamin K and minerals like iron. Let us now take a glimpse on the infinite health benefits of coconut oil –

Skin Care

This oil is considered as the best oil for the purpose of massage due to its moisturising effects. It is good for all skin types, including dry skin. The oil is a completely safe option to prevent dryness and skin flaking. Regular application also keeps away wrinkles, sagging of skin and other aging symptoms. It has antioxidant properties and thus can prevent many degenerative diseases and treats skin related issues like dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema and many other infections of the skin. Coconut oil forms a prime ingredient of many body care products like lotions, soaps, creams etc.

Hair care

Aiding in healthy hair growth, coconut oil gives you quality hair with lustre, volume and bounce. Often when your hair has deficiency of protein content, it looks dull, dry and lifeless; applying coconut oil over a period of few months regularly can bring back the vitality of your hair. Apart from being the main ingredient in most of the hair oils, it is also included in shampoos and conditioners. Coconut oil works effectively on dandruff as well; promoting hair growth and health to damaged hair. Studies have concluded that coconut oil provides better protection to hair from hygral fatigue damage. People having dry scalp problems should use coconut oil exclusively to treat it. Moreover, this oil also keeps away lice as well as their eggs to some extent.

Prevent Heart Diseases

The oil is beneficial for the heart, despite of being rich in saturated fats. This oil has around 50% lauric acid, which effectively prevents various heart problems like high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. Coconut oil does not increase the LDL levels; additionally it cuts down the chances of damage and injury to arteries. Including coconut oil in regular diet can assure you of preventing arthrosclerosis in long run. Study suggests that this oil aids pre-menopausal women by maintaining a healthy lipid profile.

Helps in Losing Weight

The reason why coconut oil is helpful in losing weight is it has short as well as medium-chain of fatty acids, which also takes away excess abdominal fat in women. The oil can be easily digested, helps in proper functioning of thyroid gland and also increases the metabolic rate of your body. It helps the pancreas to function smoothly, thus burns energy and reduces problems related to overweight. In most of the tropical coastal countries this oil is used as the primary cooking oil.

Boosts Immunity

Coconut oil is abundant in Lauric acid, Antimicrobial lipids, Capric acid and Caprylic acid – all these together brings on antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral effects on human body. Many studies have stated that including coconut oil in diet can help you fight with influenza, herpes, cytomegalovirus, and even HIV.

This oil works like miracle for people who have digestive problems, also treats the disease called Systemic Candidiasis, which is the excessive growth of yeast in the stomach. Application of coconut oil can cure many infections at the anal and rectum area. It also improves the healing of bruises and damaged tissues.